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 Reporter |
Summary: This is one of the most enjoyable hikes around the Los Angeles area. The hike moves through pristine wilderness area along a magnificent section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Fragrant pine and cedar forests loom overhead with the soothing sound of trickling water in Cooper Canyon creek just dazzles the senses. After crossing the creek in Cooper Canyon you will see a large waterfall up to the left which is accessible by using a steep trail down to a large pool at the base. Cooper Canyon Falls just roars in the springtime! Continuing on, soon you will see Mt. Williamson emerging in the background and you will arrive at Little Rock Creek, a great place to have lunch before starting the final ascent up the trail. On the way back up you will encounter Rattlesnake Spring, a lightly cascading waterfall that sounds like a soothing indoor fountain and a much needed respite as you grind your way back up to Eagle's Roost parking area. Trailhead: From the 210 Fwy drive north up the Angeles Crest Hwy for approximately 37.5 miles past Buckhorn Campground to Eagle's Roost. Leave one car at Eagle's Roost parking area then drive the second car back down 5.4 miles past Buckhorn again to Cloudburst Summit parking area. (Lat:34.35163 Lon:-117.9345) Trail Guides for Cooper Canyon Falls: Afoot and Afield in Los Angeles by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press) Trails of the Angeles: 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: Angeles National Forest 818-899-1900 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Eric Altizer, who has posted 13 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Jemil on 7/17/2008 GREAT HIKE! NICE WATERFALL AND POOL AT END. THE SCENERY IS AMAZING AND CHANGES AS YOU HIKE DOWN THE CANYON. CANT WAIT TO DO IT AGAIN AND OVERNIGHT IN THE CAMP DOWN IN THE CANYON. 
Reviewed by PK on 5/17/2008 Good news, Buckhorn is open! Also, bug repellent and a good sunscreen are both HIGHLY recommended.
Reviewed by PK on 5/15/2008 Everything Ken (see directly below) says still holds true, except that there's no snow there now. Be sure you go straight at the fork (the other way goes to Cooper Canyon Campground); pass the first wood-metal hillside support after the fork to a rocky, narrow, spur trail leading down to take a more direct route to the base (there's a fat tree in the way). The way back is 95% up, up, up!
Reviewed by Ken on 4/6/2008 There is plenty of snow on the trails. Some parts of the trail were very dangerous, but the roaring falls along the trail made it worth the risk. The Buckhorn campground is closed so you must park off the main road and hike in.
Reviewed by steve on 3/25/2008 One thing to note is that the PCT is closed from Eagle's Roost to the intersection with the Buckhorn Trail. This makes the through-hike impossible as described here. We went to the Falls via Buckhorn on 03/23. As mentioned by Mtn. Mongol Man, there is still a lot of snow, but the weather was nice for us. We made it to the falls with no snowshoes or poles, but it was a little treacherous in spots. But go anyway, the falls are roaring and it's totally worth it!
Reviewed by Mtn. Mongol Man on 3/18/2008 This isn't a real review, but a notice of the weather conditions. My friends and I showed up on 03/017/2008 not realizing it would be covered in snow. Around 10am it was about 36-38 degrees or so with some strong winds making it even colder. It was very cold. We weren't adequately dressed and one of us was wearing shorts so we decided to turn around for another hike. We will return next time either when the snow is gone or prepared for a snow hike.
Reviewed by SL on 1/10/2008 Last time I hiked Cooper w/pooch I told myself this place would be wonderful covered in snow, I was not disappointed on Jan 7th. Knee deep in snow w/o snow shoes was tough but a good pair of boots/gaiters & a super trooper of a pooch was more than enough to motivate me, not to mention the breathtaking view of the snow cover canyons, creeks & fall. Best thing was the fresh snow, being the first ones to set foot on this trail that day was bonus! We took many detours and went down the fall for pics. My dog was having a blast hopping in/out of the white stuff like a deer, funny. If your dog is not used to frozen conditions/long hikes, don't take them, on a normal day this hike is a stroll, not with snow. I award this BEST WINTER SG MT HIKE!
Reviewed by Matt on 6/17/2007 The hike down from Buckhorn Camp to the falls was warm and sunny and very dry. The few springs that feed the lower creek where trickling but not very wet. It is a nice combination of granite trail moving along steep ravines and the occasional shady glade of Incense Cedar, Pine, and Oak. Moving down through the lower crossing and up onto the Pacific Crest Trail I spotted some creek trout in the shallow pools; hold outs to the end. The normal torrent of water traveling over the falls was reduced to a trickling rainfall. The underside of the waterfall exposed a blanket of green moss, wildflowers and ivy giving a grotto effect above the main pool. I got some nice photos of the falls. All in all a good day. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Los Angeles County Hiking, Los Angeles County Trails, Los Angeles County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||